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Former Republican senator Ben Sasse revealed he has been diagnosed with stage IV cancer.
“Last week I was diagnosed with metastasized, stage-four pancreatic cancer, and am gonna die,” Sasse, 53, wrote via X on Tuesday, December 23, about his health battle.
The politician reflected on his immediate reaction to his diagnosis. “Death is a wicked thief, and the bastard pursues us all,” he noted. “Still, I’ve got less time than I’d prefer. This is hard for someone wired to work and build, but harder still as a husband and a dad.”
Ben, who shares three kids with wife Melissa Sasse, clarified that he wasn’t giving up hope.
“I’ll have more to say. I’m not going down without a fight,” he continued. “One sub-part of God’s grace is found in the jawdropping advances science has made the past few years in immunotherapy and more.”
Ben concluded: “Death and dying aren’t the same — the process of dying is still something to be lived. We’re zealously embracing a lot of gallows humor in our house, and I’ve pledged to do my part to run through the irreverent tape.”
In response to the news, Ben received an outpouring of support. Vice President JD Vance replied to Ben, “I’m very sorry to hear this Ben. May God bless you and your family.”
Ben’s former Senate colleague Deb Fischer said she was “so very saddened to hear the news,” writing, “I know he will face this difficult challenge anchored in his strong Christian faith and bolstered by the love of family and friends. Ben, I am keeping you and your loved ones in my prayers.”
Megyn Kelly expressed her condolences. “God bless you Ben and your dear family,” she wrote. “Prayers up for all of you.”
Ben was elected to the Senate in 2014 and reelected eight years later. After nearly a decade in office, Ben left the Senate and was named president of the University of Florida. He departed the position in July 2024 after his wife was diagnosed with epilepsy but has continued to teach at the school.
“My wife Melissa’s recent epilepsy diagnosis and a new batch of memory issues have been hard, but we’re facing it together,” he wrote in a message to the university community about needing to “walk arm-in-arm with my dearest friend” each day. “Gator Nation needs a president who can keep charging hard, Melissa deserves a husband who can pull his weight, and my kids need a dad who can be home more nights.”
He concluded: “First, I’m a husband and dad. Second, I’ve been blessed to serve as president of the best dang public university in America — Go Gators! — and I’ve loved the challenge of giving this university everything I’ve got. But here’s the bottom line: Those callings are significantly at odds with each other right now … I need to step back for a time and focus more on the needs of my family while we rebuild more stable household systems.”
